stephen kelly
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Stephen Kelly

Senior Associate of Government Affairs

Stephen Kelly is a Senior Associate of Government Affairs at the Commonwealth Foundation.

Stephen is an Adams County native. He graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2022 with a BA in Political Science and a minor in Economics.

After graduating, Stephen returned home to Pennsylvania. Before joining the Commonwealth Foundation, he was a Polling Assistant for the 2022 Midterm Elections at Cygnal, a polling and survey research firm serving center-right and conservative campaigns, political action committees, and independent expenditures.

Outside of work and following politics, Stephen enjoys learning about history, playing rugby, and rooting for all the Philadelphia sports teams.

Health Care

Five Years After Obamacare Charity Care Demand Soars

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • March 23, 2015

Five years later, the promises of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) ring hollow for too many Pennsylvanians. The law’s numerous mandates and regulations continue to drive up the cost of…

Media

Read More: Five Years After Obamacare Charity Care Demand Soars

Taxes & Economy

Natural Gas Severance Tax

  • March 20, 2015

A severance tax must be considered in light of the state’s total tax structure. Pennsylvania taxes the natural gas industry in many ways that don’t exist in other drilling states.

Fact Sheet

Read More: Natural Gas Severance Tax

State Budget

A Broken Promise Could Break the Bank

  • March 20, 2015

During the gubernatorial campaign, Tom Wolf promised not to raise taxes on middle class Pennsylvanians. Despite this promise, the governor proposed a budget including the largest tax increase in…

Media

Read More: A Broken Promise Could Break the Bank

Education

Pennsylvania’s Charter Law: Room to Improve

  • James Paul
  • March 18, 2015

Pennsylvania’s charter school law received its 2015 report card, and unfortunately it will not earn a place on the refrigerator. The commonwealth earned a “C” grade from the…

Media

Read More: Pennsylvania’s Charter Law: Room to Improve

Education

Protecting Pennsylvania’s Excellent Teachers

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • March 18, 2015

Shortly after graduation, Dominique took a job at one of Philadelphia’s most challenging turnaround high schools, University City. After one very successful year the district experienced significant layoffs…

Media

Read More: Protecting Pennsylvania’s Excellent Teachers

Government Accountability

Collective Bargaining Transparency

  • March 17, 2015

Government union contract negotiations can have far reaching implications because they set compensation for tens of thousands of public employees, costing taxpayers billions each year. Despite the enormous impact, the…

Fact Sheet

Read More: Collective Bargaining Transparency

Education

Education-Industrial Complex Strikes Again

  • James Paul
  • March 16, 2015

Much has been made of recent comments from U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan regarding school funding in Pennsylvania. According to Duncan, Pennsylvania's families are “being shortchanged when…

Media

Read More: Education-Industrial Complex Strikes Again